Skalain walked briskly through the bustling streets of Red Copper Town, his mind focused on his immediate goal.
"Finding the materials for the Skeleton Ring..."
Soon enough, he spotted a humble cart adorned with rolled-up parchment maps. The elderly map vendor sat behind the cart, his weathered face etched with lines of wisdom and experience. Skalain approached him.
"I am in need of a detailed map of the surrounding area.
The map vendor peered at Skalain through spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. "Certainly, young mage. I have just the map you need."
With a deft hand, the map vendor showed a large parchment map, revealing a meticulously drawn representation of the region. Skalain's gaze swept across the intricate lines and symbols.
"This seems good enough for me to start with."
After a brief examination, Skalain inquired about the price. "How much for this map?"
The map vendor leaned forward, his voice filled with a hint of negotiation. "For this finely detailed map, I will require one silver coin."
Skalain hesitated for a moment, contemplating his limited funds. He knew that acquiring the map was crucial.
"Money or coins can be gained later on as long as I have power. I should not be stingy for the time being."
He reached into his coin pouch and handed over one of his precious silver coins.
"Thank you,"
The map vendor nodded. "May it guide you well on your adventures, young mage."
With the map secured, Skalain set his sights on his next objective: finding a suitable hunting ground.
He inspected the map and then nodded.
He marked a secluded forest on the outskirts of Red Copper Town, where he believed he would find the creatures he sought.
Determined and eager to put his newfound powers to use.
"In the end, it is true that I am new to this place."
Skalain smiled as he knew that he was a man with a curious nature.
As Skalain ventured into the wilderness, his mind focused on the task at hand. With the map in hand.
"Because of the map, I have knowledge of the land but not experience of it."
"This would prove a problem for most people, and most people, I assume, would not want to be in this kind of situation."
"But for me, who wants to experience and feel everything, It is a good thing."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Skalain was not a romantic person. He was not romanticizing anything. He was just a kid who wanted to see everything. That is why he was not taken back because of his inexperience.
Instead, he was happy that he was inexperienced. The time will arrive when he will see many things that, in the future, will not surprise him.
He wants to have fun before he gets fed up with most things, and this is the simple nature of humans. Despite the fact that Skalain has problems with humans, he knew that, in the end, he would not be that much different from them if given power.
"I need to be patient and move slowly but surely."
Skalain thought.
As Skalain ventured deeper into the Silent Water Forest, the atmosphere grew dense, and the sounds of nature enveloped him.
Suddenly, a rustling sound reached his ears, drawing his attention to a clearing up ahead. As he cautiously approached, his gaze fixed on the peculiar creature that emerged from the dense undergrowth. It resembled a deer in size and shape, adorned with elegant antlers that pierced the air. However, its distinguishing feature was the menacing scorpion tail that arched menacingly over its back.
Skalain's heart quickened with excitement and anticipation.
"That is the kind of creature I was looking for to hunt."
"Scorpion Deer"
"Level Two: Magical Creature"
"No Magical Power"
"Physical Power: 2.5"
"Special Ability"
"Poisonous Tail"
"Tail Whip"
Skalain smiled as his eyes changed from a calm state to a predatory state.
The skeletons showed themselves from the bushes, their bones rattling with a dark magical energy. As Skalain issued a command, his voice was laced with authority. "Attack!"
The first skeleton lunged forward, its bony fingers outstretched to grasp the creature. But the agile scorpion-deer swiftly retaliated, lashing out with its deadly tail.
A sickening crunch filled the air as the tail connected with the skeleton, shattering it into a shower of bone fragments.
"Oh, Scorpion Deer is stronger than I thought. It seems like Level Two Magical Creatures are no joke."
Undeterred, the remaining two skeletons closed in on the creature, their movements coordinated and precise.
One skeleton engaged the scorpion-deer head-on, its bony fists striking with relentless force. The other circled around, seeking a strategic advantage.
Skalain observed the battle. Trying to understand everything he can understand.
The scorpion-deer thrashed and bucked, its tail lashing out in an attempt to fend off the persistent skeletons. But the undead minions were relentless.
As the skirmish intensified, Skalain could see the scorpion-deer weakening, its movements growing sluggish. It became evident that the relentless assault of the skeletons was taking its toll on the creature.
"In the end, the Skeleton Sentinels that I summon are different than ordinary skeletons. They are created purely from my magic and from the system."
"They are not getting weaker; they are not afraid, and they do not get tired. Compared to a living creature, these advantages can be seen easily."
With a final surge of strength, the remaining skeletons coordinated their attacks, overwhelming the scorpion-deer with a flurry of blows.
In a climactic moment, the creature succumbed to its injuries, collapsing to the forest floor.
"After those attacks from the skeletons, who have no concept of fear or pain, the living body of yours was not capable of handling it."
Skalain knelt beside the fallen scorpion-deer, extracting the precious bones he needed for his skeleton ring.
"I needed three bones from magical creatures. I believe I need one bone part from a different creature."
"So, with this, I have collected one bone part I needed."
"I will collect some of the other bone parts for later use and sell all the other things."
As he carefully collected them, Skalain smiled as he nodded.
"My first official hunt with purpose is done."
With his objective achieved, Skalain turned his attention to the surroundings, taking in the serene beauty of the Silent Water Forest.
"Killing is different. I feel good and neutral that I have taken a life."
Skalain stopped for a second and checked his status.
"Skalain Detriment"
"Stage 2: Necromancer Apprentice.
"Magic 3.7"
"Physical Power: 1.7"
Spells
"Raise Skeleton Stage 1 (able to conjure three skeletons)
"Decay Bolt (able to shoot up a dark energy filled with decay in the form of a bolt)
"Dark Burst (Launch a blast of dark magical energy.)
Passive Ability
"Night Eyes (all necromancer apprentices have the ability to see better in the dark around %30 to %40)